Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1887-01-13
THE UNION PACIFIC AND THE
o. r, & N. COMPANY

THE UNION PACIFIC AND THk
O. r, & N. COMPANY
Much has been said and written an,
published in the newspapers about q leas
ofthe 0. r. L. N, Co.'s property to thu
Union Pacific, or to the latter and th'
Northern Pacific jointly and public cx
pectation has been looking for some
change 10 the administration of affairs al
an early day, whether for the better OF
worse no one has been able to satisfac-
torily predict. The latest news is that
the board of the Northern Pacific direc
tors have, by majority vote, refused to
enter into the joint lease upon the pro.
posed rental of percent, but are willing
10 enter into traffic arrangement by
having proper division of territory first
made. 1t is now claimed that the Union
Pacific cannot enter into lease till con
gress first gives its consent; again that
the 0. II. & N. have not the power to
enter into contract for lease without
an action Of the legislature of Oregon
In view Of this condition Of things it
seems that the consumation Of lease is
~ far removed az it has ever been and
that no one can predict what, if any,
change will take place in the near
future. Il is surmised by some that a
close contract for traffic will be made 10
some form that will answer nearly all the
purposes Of lease. But it is not intimat
cd under whose control the business will
b conducted, 1t is reasonable to infer
that If these companies are determined to
blend their interests, they will find some
way in which to whip the devil around
the stump 50 as to avoid violating directly
congressional enactments or the enact.
ments Of the legislature Of Oregon, and
not lay themselves liable to any severe
penalty. The people Of this section Of
country arc 10 state or condition to
desire as low freights and passage as the
condition Of things will warrant and
leave to the railroad companies reason.
able revenue. We have long suffered
the burdens Of high freights, while the
company which has done our freightiug,
have constantly largely augmented their
capital, Il the expense Of the people,
while in many instances; the people
themselves have been oppressed to pay
the freight rates, and have the means Of
self support much less had the ems Of
extended improvements upon their lands,
and had it not been for the unprecedented
productivenees Of the soil compared with
other localities they would in many in
stances have been compelled to abandon
the cultivation ofthe soil and moved 10
other localities where the cost Of trans
porting their products to a remunera,ive
market was materially lessened. We
just 4 this time have held out to us the
prospect, that several railroads will come
into this section Of country, and there
will be : lively competition anon. them
TO secure the freigh,ing Of our products,
which will ensure t, US great reduc
tion Of freight. But this promise is so
far 10 the future and there is SO much
uncertainty the fulfillment of this
promise, thar poor man who has SO
little voice in Fastening on the fulfil.
ment Of this promise is almost ready 10
give up lis hopes Of the prosperity OF
this country, during his short life, and
10 casts about to see if some other cline
will pay him better and more speedily,
than to spend the energies and toll that
10 i ready and willing to bestow in
building up home for himself aud
family, and in building up country and
people, 10 whom he can take treason
able pride. A few months more will b.
likely to develops whether We arc to be
Or not to be, reasonably independent
people.